Cycling

Cycling

Winger Has Interim Tag Removed and Takes the Helm of the Cycling Program

May 26, 2009

BANNER ELK, N.C. - Lees-McRae College Athletic Director, Ried
Estus, has announced that Luke Winger will have the interim tag
removed and has been named head cycling coach for the Bobcat
cycling program.

"We have the opportunity to turn over our nationally recognized
cycling program to an alumnus of the cycling team," Estus said.
"As a student athlete Luke was part of the class that elevated our
program to national recognition and one that could annually compete
for national championships. I'm confident Lees-McRae cycling can
look forward to many competitive years under his leadership".

Winger is a 2007 graduate of Lees-McRae and four-year member of
the Bobcats cycling team.

Winger, a Cat 1 Road and Cat 1 Track cyclist, has 15 years of
racing experience that he brings to the Bobcat program. As a
member of the Bobcat cycling program he contributed to the team's
first Division I National Cyclocross Championship title in 2006 and
was selected as the team's MVP.

Winger's other accomplishments include being named the 2006
Minnesota Track Rider of the Year, a third place finish in the 2006
Michigan Three Day International Cup, and a 16th place finish in
the 2006 Elite National Points Race in California.

A firm believer in collegiate cycling, Winger has raced in 20
plus national championships and in stage race and track events
everywhere in the country and has found nothing compares to the
experience he had racing with the Lees-McRae team.

"I had the opportunity to race for more than myself, but for my
teammates and for the school that gave me a direction in life. My
hope is to help student athletes see that school can give them the
opportunity to plan for the future and chase their dreams like it
did for me," Winger said.

Winger graduated from Lees-McRae with a Physical Education
Degree and a minor in Performing Arts Studies and currently also
works as the Assistant Director of Admissions for the college.

In his spare time Winger enjoys hanging out with his wife
Daviana, a former Lees-McRae women's volleyball standout, juggling
and Nordic (cross country) skiing.